Harwood Center helps children with autism speak for themselves
A special needs student gets assistance at the Harwood Center at the University of Memphis. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Today, the Harwood Center and its 35 employees specialize in working with children from ages 18 months to 8 years who have been diagnosed with autism.
“Harwood Center is a place where we enable children with special needs to reach their full potential, and I’m not being cliche about it,” said Harwood Executive Director Aimee Joyner, who has been with the organization since 2020. “As a leader, I try to really keep us on mission because that’s the job. We are consistently trying to give hugs, hope and help to our caregivers and our learners.”
The parent of a Harwood child said, “Truly, if we really understood the impact that a place like Harwood has on families with children with autism, we would be funding it like we do St. Jude. That’s the impact they have on families. They are advocates, they are treaters, they help our children find their voices. And they just love and keep our children safe. And that is a big thing, especially when your kids can’t advocate for themselves.”
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Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
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